Mounting frame member for motor vehicle tailgate having frameless window pane

Abstract

A mounting frame member is provided for framing and sealing a frameless window pane of an after-market motor vehicle tailgate intended to replace a tailgate having a different structure. The mounting frame member includes a mounting frame body mounted to the motor vehicle, the mounting frame body including an integrally formed sealing weatherstrip at an inner peripheral region thereof. A supplemental sealing weatherstrip may be provided adjacent the sealing weatherstrip of the mounting frame body and over the frameless window pane. Accordingly, a single, unitary BIW structure may be utilized when effectuating after-market structural changes or replacements to an existing tailgate.

1. A mounting frame member for a tailgate of a motor vehicle having a frameless window pane and a sealing weatherstrip, the mounting frame member comprising: a mounting frame body mounted over the sealing weatherstrip of the motor vehicle, the mounting frame body including an integrally formed second sealing weatherstrip at an inner peripheral region of the mounting frame body to form a seal at an interface between the mounting frame member and the frameless window pane. 
     
     
       2. The mounting frame member of  claim 1 , wherein the second sealing weatherstrip includes spaced apart upper and lower sealing members defining a channel which receives at least an edge of the frameless window pane. 
     
     
       3. The mounting frame member of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting frame body is composed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
       4. The mounting frame member of  claim 3 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a moldable material. 
     
     
       5. The mounting frame member of  claim 4 , wherein the moldable material comprises a sheet molding compound material. 
     
     
       6. The mounting frame member of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting frame body is composed of a metal material. 
     
     
       7. The mounting frame member of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting frame body is composed of one of a polymeric material, a metal material, a composite material and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       8. A mounting frame member for a tailgate of a motor vehicle having a frameless window pane and a sealing weatherstrip, the mounting frame member comprising:
 a mounting frame body mounted over the sealing weatherstrip of the motor vehicle, the mounting frame body including an integrally formed second sealing weatherstrip at an inner peripheral region thereof; and 
 a third sealing weatherstrip provided adjacent the second sealing weatherstrip of the mounting frame body and over the frameless window pane. 
 
     
     
       9. The mounting frame member of  claim 8 , wherein the mounting frame body includes a pair of parallel extending vertical members connected by a cross member extending generally perpendicular thereto, the cross member and each vertical member including the sealing weatherstrip. 
     
     
       10. The mounting frame member of  claim 8 , wherein the mounting frame body is composed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
       11. The mounting frame member of  claim 10 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a moldable material. 
     
     
       12. The mounting frame member of  claim 11 , wherein the moldable material comprises a sheet molding compound material. 
     
     
       13. The mounting frame member of  claim 8 , wherein the mounting frame body is composed of a metal material. 
     
     
       14. The mounting frame member of  claim 8 , wherein the mounting frame body is composed of one of a polymeric material, a metal material, a composite material and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       15. A motor vehicle tailgate assembly comprising:
 a tailgate door mounted to the motor vehicle at an opening thereof by a hinged connection to permit selective movement of the tailgate door about an axis between a closed position an opened position permitting access to an interior of the motor vehicle; 
 a frameless window pane mounted to the tailgate door; 
 a mounting frame body mounted to the motor vehicle, the mounting frame body including an integrally formed sealing weatherstrip at an inner peripheral region thereof which forms a first seal at an interface between the mounting frame member and the frameless window pane; and 
 a supplemental sealing weatherstrip provided adjacent the sealing weatherstrip of the mounting frame body and over the frameless window pane to form a second seal at an interface between the sealing weatherstrip and the frameless window pane. 
 
     
     
       16. The motor vehicle tailgate assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the mounting frame body is composed of a polymeric material. 
     
     
       17. The motor vehicle tailgate assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the polymeric material comprises a moldable material. 
     
     
       18. The motor vehicle tailgate assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the moldable material comprises a sheet molding compound material. 
     
     
       19. The motor vehicle tailgate assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the mounting frame body is composed of one of a polymeric material, a metal material, a composite material and any combination thereof.